Hedge trimmer



April 25, 1944.

M. s.v RUDD HEDGE TRIMMER Filed July '7, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor AhZi/aaa 5 PM Patented Apr. 25, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEDGE ranmna Matthew s. Rudd, Elizabeth City. N. 0.

Application July 7, 1943, Serial No. 493,772

1 Claim. 001. 30-197) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in hedge, shrubbery, etc., trimmers, and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising a sickle of unique construction which is adapted to be held in one hand and manually operated with the other.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a hedge, shrubbery, etc., trimmer of the aforementioned character which embodies unique means for expeditiously cutting twigs and small limbs.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a hedge trimmer of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction,

strong, durable, highly efllcient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study'of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like'characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view of a hedge trimmer constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in rear elevation of the device.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section, taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure (i is a detail view in longitudinal section through an end portion of the device, taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the form of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a stationary, metallic lower bar I having projecting from its front edge integral, substantially triangular blades 2. Projecting longitudinally from one end of the stationary bar I is a pair of spaced arms 3 having bearings 4 on their outer ends. An upwardly and forwardly extending guide 5 is provided on the rear edge of the stationary bar I at an intermediate point. v

An upper bar 6' of suitable metal is mounted for reciprocation on the bar I in the guide 5. Integral triangular blades 1 project forwardly from the bar 6 for coaction with the stationary blades 2. Longitudinal slots 8 in the forward taining screws 9 which are threadedly mounted in the stationary lower bar I. The bar 6 is further provided, in its rear portion, with longitudinal slots l0. As best seen in Figure 5 of the drawings, the slots l0 accommodate screws H which secure a handle i2 in position on the guide 5, said screws passing downwardly thru said guide and being threadedly engaged in the lower bar I.

Rigidly mounted on the back of the guide 5 and extending toward one end ofthe device is an inclined arm I3. A gear I4 is journaled on the free end portion of the arm l3. Fixed on one side of the gear [4 is a comparatively large disk l5 having mounted thereon an operating handle IS. A crank shaft I! is journaled in the bearings 4. A pinion gear [8 on one end of the crankshaft I1 is engaged with the gear M for actuation thereby. A pitman l9 connects the reciprocating upper bar 6 to the crankshaft I I for actuation thereby.

Extending longitudinally into the end portion of the stationary lower bar I which is remote from the crankshaft I1 is an opening 20 for the reception of small limbs, twigs, etc. As best seen in Figure 6 of the drawings, the inner wall of the opening 20 is tapered in a manner to provide a blade 2|. Extending into the corresponding end portion of the reciprocating upper bar 6 from the forward edge thereof is an opening 22 for communication with the opening 20. The outer side wall of the opening 22 is tapered in a manner to provide a blade 23 for coaction with the blade 2|.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the sickle is held in one hand through the medium of the handle l2 and the reciprocating upper bar 6 is actuated on the stationary lower bar I through the medium of the handle Hi. It will thus be seen that the device is held and manipulated with one hand and operated with the other hand. Of course, the moving blades 1 travel back and forth across ,the stationary blades 2 for cutting the hedge,

shrubbery, etc., therebetween. When additional power is desired for cutting small limbs, twigs, etc., the crankshaft I1 is actuated to project the remote end of the reciprocating bar 6 beyond the corresponding end of the stationary bar I,

thus permitting the engagement of such limbs or twigs in the opening 20. The crankshaftll is then actuated for pulling the bar 6 inwardly on the bar I, whereby the limbs, twigs, etc., will be cut by the coacting blades 2| and 23.

portion of the bar 6 accommodate guide and re- It is believed that the many advantages of a rear'edge of the lower bar intermediate the ends of the bar, arms projecting from the rear end of said lower bar and inclining upwardly, bearings on the outer ends of said arms, a crankshaft journaled in the bearings, an upper bar mounted for reciprocation on the lower bar and in said guide, coacting blades on the upper and lower bars. an arm on said guide inclining rearwardly and upwardly along the rear portion of the lower bar, a manually operable gear on the last-named arm, a gear on the crankshaft engaged with the flrst-named'gear for actuation thereby, a pitman connecting the upper bar to the crankshaft for actuation thereby, and a handle on said guide.

MATTHEW RUDD. 

